USAID/IRAQ administrative reform (Tarabot) project final performance evaluation report

The purpose of the evaluation was to review and analyze the performance of Tarabot in its final phase of implementation from October 1, 2014 through October 30, 2016 so as to determine lessons learned and provide recommendations for future USAID assistance. The evaluation was based on a non-experimental design that employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Because the number of key informants was small, focus was placed on individual interviews and focus group discussions with Iraqi government officials who were knowledgeable and had significant influence over Tarabot"s interventions. The evaluation reviewed Tarabot"s efforts to improve various processes and systems in order to enhance performance within the Ministry of Oil and Ministry of Planning. For the Ministry of Oil, the evaluation centered on Tarabot"s efforts to help improve oil sector exports/revenues and restart stalled oil projects through improved procurement and project management processes. For the Ministry of Planning, evaluators examined how well Tarabot improved the procurement system and assisted in the rollout and adoption of the Iraq Development Management System, a comprehensive web-based application which facilitates the management of the whole cycle of government and donor-funded projects in Iraq. Additionally, the evaluation summarized Tarabot"s assistance in promoting gender equality. The evaluation"s key findings were: (1) overall improvement in the procurement system; (2) improvement in project management skills; (3) no direct correlation between value added and Tarabot"s interventions; (4) lack of a sustainment strategy; and (5) lack of a gender strategy. (Author abstract, modified)